Today more women are getting jobs and becoming financially secure...right? Then why does the burden of running a household fall upon a woman's shoulders? Housework is largely considered women's work. When men do housework they are applauded and glorified for being good husbands but the same work is considered to be a woman's duty. An average indian woman spends 352 minutes on unpaid work per day, while an average Indian man spends only 52 minutes on household chores. Today when we expect more women to join the workforce these numbers show us the struggle working women face in balancing housework with demanding careers.
The notion that housework is a woman's responsibility is emphasized through the media. For example, in almost all indian ads, a woman is seen washing clothes, cooking food or doing some other chore with a smile on her face. But have you ever wondered, why do the women in these ads look so happy? They reinforce the idea that all the housework a woman does is noble, selfless and almost the essence of womanhood itself. A "perfect" mother, wife or daughter-in-law is one who runs a household without it being a burden. In reality this work isn't easy or always joyful. By making it seem like a part of a woman's natural role, these ads try to sell us the idea that domestic work isn't hard work. Till we acknowledge it's value and the fact that it is time consuming and exhausting very little will change. It is understandable for a woman or a man to do most of the housework if they choose to stay at home. But domestic work is NOT the duty of a woman alone, it does not define womanhood, and it must be balanced between a couple.
Lockdown has taught me that doing housework isn't easy and we must never take it for granted. If the women in our lives seek to pursue their careers we shouldn't limit them and expect them to do all the housework.
Does your mother do most of the chores at your house? Is she the only one ordering the groceries or serving tea to the guests? Regardless of how you answer the above questions, maybe it's time we all think of how we can help and equalise the playing field.
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